SAN FRANCISCO, CA - CIRCA 1989: Von Hayes #9 of the Philadelphia Phillies gets back to first base safe as Will Clark #22 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during an Major League Baseball game circa 1989 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. Hayes played for the Phillies from 1983-91. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s question of the day is a trip down memory lane.
The Phillies weren’t very good after the 1983 World Series. They lost that Series to the Orioles, seeing their “Wheeze Kids” roster come up short and their roster then starting change over. After that magical run, there wasn’t much to speak about with the team until 1993. Even then, it was a fun filled season that didn’t really feel like it would be lasting very long. The team continued to fall on hard times until they moved into Citizens Bank Park, when the added money to the coffers allowed them to build a winner in 2008 before tearing it all down in 2013 and building back up again.
The question I have today focuses on that time between 1983 and 2004, when they started to get more consistent good(ish) baseball. What is your favorite memory of that time that doesn’t have anything to do with 1993? That’s the easy answer since it involved another World Series appearance, but these were some formative years for baseball fans around here, yours truly included. For me, it was getting to follow Von Hayes. That was my favorite player for some reason, the one I would emulate in the backyard. Don’t ask me why he was my favorite, but that was who I watched all the time.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against AJ Green #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 21, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After meeting in the NBA Finals five years ago, there are, strangely, many parallels between the Suns’ and Bucks’ journeys since that point, the main one being that both teams ended up trading their star player without having the fallback of owning their own picks. Granted, Giannis being traded at 31 years old—as opposed to Durant at 36—meant he had significantly more value, which meant the trade return was superior and gave the Bucks a much better opportunity to reshape their roster with young talent in the fashion of a typical rebuild.
And honestly, credit to Phoenix, who traded Durant and proceeded to have maybe the most feel-good season of any team last year. They hired an excellent coach in Jordan Ott, made shrewd roster moves around the edges, and won many more games than anyone expected them to, qualifying for the playoffs in a crowded Western Conference. Their play was excellent, but most importantly, their vibes were high. The expectation that I had, at least, was that the Suns would keep the same group together and continue to tread water whilst they climb another season out of the significant pick debt they are under.
The number one thing I wouldn’t have done? Trade another future pick!
Well, that’s exactly what Phoenix did, dispensing of their unprotected 2033 pick. I mean, before I even get to who they traded for, just moving that pick should have been off limits solely on principle. As the saying goes, “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.” And then you consider that they had dealt it in exchange for Miles Bridges, who—not even getting into his off-court issues—is barely even a needle mover! Congratulations, you went from the eighth-best team in the West to the seventh-best. Bravo. All the analyses I saw of this deal—every single one—panned the Suns, and rightly so.
Milwaukee needs to learn from this fatal flaw. As I mentioned, they are in a very similar position to Phoenix overall, but unlike the Suns, they have been able to build a young nucleus—let it grow! Let the broth simmer, and those flavours develop; add a secondary ingredient here and there, but don’t alter the whole recipe. To me, there should be little consideration given to trading a first-round pick for at least the next two years. Getting your head back above water in terms of pick equity should be a long-term goal here. The sugar rush of improving rapidly is enticing, but if that move doesn’t bring real, tangible results for a long time, you’re right back to square one.
Having said all of this, if the Bucks do trade a future pick (or picks), that player had better fit the age demographic. Of course, this is relevant given the team’s reported interest in Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson. Look, I remain mostly against such a deal, but Watson does fit into that aforementioned age demo, so I’d be able to stomach it if that came to fruition. It’s trading for guys who are closer to 30 than 20 that I’m staunchly against.
The Chicago Cubs are sizable -160 favorites to win the rubber match this afternoon against the Minnesota Twins.
With an enticing matchup against the homer-prone Zebby Matthews, my Twins vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks are backing the home team to get it done.
Who will win Twins vs Cubs today: Cubs (-160)
Zebby Matthews posted a sub-3.40 xERA over his first three starts, allowing five runs in total.
His numbers have since taken a turn for the worse. He conceded 29 runs spanning his past eight starts and recorded a 4.70 xERA or higher in seven of them — including four straight above 5.5.
The Chicago Cubs rank eighth in wOBA and OPS facing righties the past month. They’re plenty capable of capitalizing on this matchup.
Homers are the best way for offenses to score runs in bulk, and we could see plenty today.
Matthews ranks in the fifth percentile in barrel rate, which has made it difficult to keep the ball in the park. He has allowed homers at the second-highest clip (2.28 HR/9) among all of today’s starters over the past 30 days.
Imanaga has an easier matchup and has done a better job of limiting runs as a whole, but he’s not far behind at 2.11 HR/9 the last month.
This total is too low. Play to -125.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 59-48, +0.60 units
Over/Under bets: 58-44-5, +6.49 units
Twins vs Cubs weather
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s, with 8 mph winds blowing in. Small boost to the pitchers.
Twins vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: Twins +140 | Cubs -160
Run line: Twins +1.5 (-145) | Cubs -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-110) | Under 7.5 (-110)
Twins vs Cubs trend
Minnesota has hit the game total Over in 22 of the last 35 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Twins vs. Cubs.
How to watch Twins vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, July 19, 2026
First pitch
2:20 p.m. ET
TV
Twins.TV, MARQ
Twins starting pitcher
Zebby Matthews (4-6, 4.57 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Shota Imanaga (5-8, 4.17 ERA)
Twins vs Cubs latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 18: Evan Carter #32 of the Texas Rangers (right) celebrates with Ezequiel Duran #20 after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 18, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rangers 7, Braves 6
That’s another one run win for the Rangers.
Texas is now 18-10 in one run games this season, and have won their last 11 one run games in a row.
Winning all 11 of their last one run games…that seems like a lot.
The last one run game the Rangers lost was on May 27, against the Astros.
MacKenzie Gore pitched really well, except for one inning.
That one inning made it an overall bad outing for Gore, I’m afraid.
Gore allowed six hits and walked a batter in his 5.2 innings pitched. The walk, and four of the hits, all came in the second inning, when the Braves scored four runs.
One of the hits was an Eli White home run. The Braves purchased White from the Rangers in the 2022-23 offseason, during a period of time when it seemed like every Ranger who was dropped from the 40 man roster ended up being claimed or purchased or traded for by Atlanta.
Gore allowed five runs in all, the fifth of which came on a Michael Harris II leadoff homer in the third, after the Rangers had rallied to make it a one run game.
Gore also hit three batters in the game. He had only hit two batters all season prior to this game.
I was curious, and went and look…Gore is the tenth pitcher to hit three batters in a game this year. He’s the first Ranger to do so since Kyle Cody back in 2021.
Despite giving up four runs in the second and not executing a shutdown inning in the third, Gore ended up getting credit for the win, as the Rangers rallied to come back and take the lead before Gore was pulled.
Gore’s final two batters before being pulled were first pitch HBPs with two out in the sixth, resulting in Skip Schumaker pulling Gore for Robby Ahlstrom.
If you were worried about Ahlstrom entering the game with the go-ahead run at the plate, you aren’t alone. Happily, Ahlstrom retired Drake Baldwin to end the inning, and was replaced by Tyler Alexander for the seventh inning.
The return of Jakob Junis from the injured list made the late game reliever deployment a little less stressful, though Alexander allowed a run in the seventh to make it a one run game, and Jacob Latz was asked to get a four out save after Junis allowed a two out single in the eighth.
The one batter Ahlstrom faced, and the batter Junis was pulled so that Latz could face, is Drake Baldwin. Baldwin is a lefthanded hitter, but his split are almost non-existent — he has an 800 OPS against righthanders this year, compared to an 810 OPS against lefties, and put up an 818 OPS against lefties last year against an 808 OPS against righthanders. He doesn’t seem like the guy you’re going to go through machinations with to make sure he faces a lefty.
Joc Pederson started the game with a leadoff home run, and went 2 for 4 with before lifted for pinch hitter Justin Foscue with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh with an opportunity to blow the game open.
Sadly, Foscue hit into a double play. More happily, the Rangers still won.
Evan Carter homered as well, in the sixth inning when the Rangers re-took the lead for good. He had a two run shot that tied the game, part of a 2 for 4 game which also saw him draw a walk.
Wyatt Langford, Josh Jung and Brandon Nimmo also had two hit games.
We like when Rangers hitters have two hit games.
Houston lost, so the Astros are now four back of Texas. The Mariners won, so they are still a game and a half back.
MacKenzie Gore topped out at 96.2 mph with his sinker and 96.1 mph with his fastball, avering 95.3 mph and 94.8 mph with those pitches, respectively. Robby Ahlstrom threw one pitch, a 93.9 mph sinker. Tyler Alexander touched 92.5 mph with his sinker. Jakob Junis’s fastball reached 93.8 mph. Jacob Latz maxed out at 97.3 mph with his fastball.
Brandon Nimmo had a 109.4 mph single and a 100.8 mph single. Joc Pederson had a 104.3 mph home run and a 102.4 mph single. Jake Burger had a 103.9 mph fly out and a 102.4 mph single. Evan Carter’s homer was 101.1 mph. Ezequiel Duran had a 100.2 mph fly out.
The Rangers won’t be swept in Atlanta. Let’s see if they can win the series.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 18: Wilyer Abreu #52 and Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after taking the lead against the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the seventh inning at Fenway Park on July 18, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees were rained out on Saturday, meaning they face a pivotal day-night doubleheader on Sunday against the Dodgers with a chance to win the series in one go. Severe storms in the eastern half of the country have led to a handful of rainouts and doubleheaders to open the second half, all of which had implications on divisional races around the AL. The Red Sox swept their two games against the Rays on Friday while the Pirates had an opportunity to do the same to the Guardians on Saturday to ratchet up the drama in the East and Central.
Boston Red Sox (49-48) 7, Tampa Bay Rays (56-41) 6
The Red Sox rode a seventh-inning comeback to take the first three games of this four game set from the first-place Rays, giving Boston a 12-game winning streak. Neither of the starting pitchers pulled their weight, Ian Seymour lasting just three innings for Tampa after allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while Patrick Sandoval allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk in five innings.
The Rays opened the scoring in the second as Ryan Vilade led off with a double and scored on a Chandler Simpson single, the speedy left fielder then advancing to second on a throwing error and scoring on a Nick Fortes RBI single. Boston responded with a pair in the bottom-half, Andruw Monasterio drawing an ABS-assisted walk and scoring on a two-run homer from Jahmai Jones. They grabbed a lead the following inning on a solo shot from Wilyer Abreu, but Tampa answered with three in the fourth on a Simpson leadoff double, a Victor Mesa Jr. two-run blast, Richie Palacios double, and Yandy Díaz RBI single, though Díaz would be thrown out at the plate to end the inning on an ensuing double by Jonny DeLuca.
That out at home would prove the difference, as despite Tampa adding an insurance run on a solo shot from DeLuca in the seventh, Boston roared back with four runs in the bottom of that frame to grab the decisive lead. Monasterio led off with a double and advanced to third as Jarren Duran reached on a throwing error by Vilade to put runners on the corners with no outs. Masataka Yoshida brought Monasterio home with an RBI groundout and Ceddanne Rafaela plated Duran with an RBI double to draw within one. This brought Abreu to the plate to demolish his second home run of the game, this one a two-run shot to complete the comeback.
With the win, the Red Sox move above .500 for the first time since Opening Day. In the span of two weeks, they have gone from 15.5 games back in last place to third place and only seven games back of first.
The rainout on Friday set up a Saturday day-night doubleheader between these two Rust Belt rivals. Jared Jones pitched six perfect innings last time out against the Braves and he followed that up with another dominant display in the first game of the doubleheader, tossing five innings of one-run ball on three hits and a walk against nine strikeouts. His offense did their scoring in bunches, plating two in the second on a two-run bomb by Jacob Gonzalez, three in the sixth on a two-run tank from Esmerlyn Valdez and a solo shot by Nick Gonzales, and two in the eighth on a wild pitch and a Ryan O’Hearn sac fly.
Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana had himself quite the day. After tripling in his team’s only run in the early game, Bazzana won the nightcap with his first career walk-off home run. Pittsburgh scored the first three runs of the contest, one in each of the second, third, and fourth on a Brandon Lowe sac fly, Esmerlyn Valdez RBI double, and Jake Mangum RBI single. That lead held until the eighth when the Pirates bullpen imploded. Cleveland scored three in the eighth on singles by Steven Kwan, Brayan Rocchio, Chase DeLauter, and Kahlil Watson, aided by a pair of wild pitches. That set up the defining moment for Bazzana in the ninth. Patrick Bailey led off with a single but was thrown out at home on a Kwan double. However, Bazzana picked up his teammate with a two-run walk-off home run to draw the Guardians level with the White Sox atop the AL Central, Chicago remaining nominally ahead on winning percentage.
Toronto Blue Jays (46-52) 1, Chicago White Sox (51-46) 0
The Blue Jays suddenly find themselves in last place, so perhaps it is fitting that Shane Bieber pitched his best start of the year — six shutout innings allowing three hits and two walks against six strikeouts — just in time to be shopped at the Trade Deadline. The three relievers that followed kept the shutout intact, allowing just a hit and a walk in the final three frames. The lone run of the contest came in the fourth, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reaching on a one-out double and scoring on a George Springer RBI single.
The Rangers became the first team in the AL West to reach 50 wins with a nail-biter against the Braves. After Joc Pederson led off the game with a homer Atlanta jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, Eli White hitting a two-run homer, Drake Baldwin an RBI single, and Ozzie Albies a sac fly in the second. Texas cut that deficit to one courtesy of RBI singles by Wyatt Langford and Brandon Nimmo in the third, but a Michael Harris II leadoff homer in the bottom of the frame restored Atlanta’s two-run cushion. In the sixth, it was the Rangers’ turn to score four runs, the first pair on an Evan Carter two-run blast to tie the game, 5-5, and the second pair on a two-run single from Nimmo with the bases loaded. Mauricio Dubón cut the deficit to one with an RBI double seventh, but Texas would hold on from there for the 7-6 win.
Seattle Mariners (49-50) 4, San Francisco Giants (42-56) 3
The Guardians weren’t the only team to win it with the last swing of the game, the Mariners avenging last night’s shutout loss with an extra-innings walk-off win over the Giants. In a battle of staff aces having relatively down years neither pitcher came out on top, Logan Webb allowing three runs on two hits and a walk in 6.2 innings while Bryan Woo allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in six innings. San Francisco scored the first three runs of the game, rookie Bryce Eldridge lining an RBI single in the third and Rafael Devers and Willy Adames crushing a pair of solo home runs in the sixth. Cole Young responded with a three-run homer in the seventh to send the game to extras. In the bottom of the tenth, a Colt Emerson sac bunt advanced the automatic runner to third, and after a J.P. Crawford walk, Julio Rodríguez hit a ball just deep enough to left to bring Victor Robles home as the game-winning run.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Nate Bittle #12 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on July 16, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite narrowly missing out on the Summer League playoffs due to a point-differential tie-breaker, the Toronto Raptors are scheduled to play their final contest against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST on NBA TV Canada and ESPN2.
Here are three storylines to consider ahead of the Summer League finale.
Is Allen Graves legit?
The Allen Graves experience has fully delivered on what the analytics predicted. Even without the luxury of true offensive gravity to occupy the defence’s attention, Graves demonstrated how his complementary game can benefit the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes.
Through four contests, Graves is averaging 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.3 stocks (steals and blocks) while shooting 50 per cent from the perimeter. Beyond the statistical output, Graves has also seemingly elevated the average fan’s awareness of the nuanced contributions that an elite role player provides.
Graves’ uncanny ability to warp 50-50 balls into scenarios that greatly favour him and his knack for consistently knocking down open shots will mesh perfectly with the Raptors’ dynamic duo of Leonard and Barnes, particularly in the post-season.
While it wouldn’t be surprising if Graves is limited against the Nuggets, should he play meaningful minutes, it would be encouraging to see him attack the rim. Outside of a near-perfect start to his career, Graves’ lone blemish is his lack of free-throw attempts.
Grab both centres?
Collin Murray-Boyles’ absence has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While many hoped to see Murray-Boyles dominate Summer League in his own signature way, the sophomore’s finger injury created additional opportunities for Nate Bittle and Jamarion Sharp.
Bittle, a seven-foot centre, has consistently impressed onlookers through four Summer League games. The 23-year-old big man went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, but has made the most of his opportunity with Toronto. It’s easy to envision Bittle coming off the bench – and even playing extended minutes should Poeltl miss games – on a Raptors team desperate for centre production. Bittle is a perimeter threat, protects the rim, rebounds the ball at a decent rate, and has touch on his passes that Head Coach Darko Rajakovic will certainly love.
Sharp, a seven-foot-six centre, may not have the finesse and shooting touch that Bittle possesses, but instead leverages otherworldly size and motor skills that can’t be taught. He’s a cheat code of a lob threat and easily erases shots at the rim. The reigning G League Defensive Player of the Year may have earned a training camp invite with how efficient he’s been off the bench in Summer League.
Worrisome guard play?
It’s no secret that Raptors fans were clamouring for a guard in the first round of the draft. When they didn’t get that specific archetype, attention was turned to the Raptors’ Summer League roster. Headed into the opener, two guards who stood out were Chucky Hepburn and 2026 second-rounder Jaden Bradley.
Unfortunately, neither improved their stock ahead of pre-season.
Hepburn, in his second year in the Raptors’ system, began Summer League with a slight advantage. His reputation as a tenacious two-way guard is something Toronto could use on its bench. Regrettably, Hepburn had a Summer League to forget. In two games, Hepburn averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.0 steal and 2.0 turnovers. The six-foot guard struggled with efficiency, averaging 23.8 per cent from the field 8.3 per cent from deep in 29 minutes of action.
After undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January, the Raptors seemingly removed Hepburn from Summer League action.
For Bradley, it’s been a bit of an awkward debut. It’s nonsensical to draw serious conclusions about a second-round rookie in Summer League. Still, it’s been confusing to see Bradley play without the confidence that carried him through his four years at Arizona.
In four games, Bradley is averaging 6.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.7 turnovers in just under 20 minutes a game. What’s more worrisome is that he’s struggled immensely with his shot, averaging 29.6 per cent from the field. He’s also only attempted three shots from the perimeter and has converted zero. In his final year with the Wildcats, Bradley averaged 46.3 per cent from the field and shot 39.4 per cent from deep on nearly two attempts a game.
Hepburn and Bradley will likely need additional reps with the Raptors 905, but there’s a potential spot on the main roster up for grabs, even if it’s just in stretches. How these two guards develop will help determine whether either of them is considered.
ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2025/03/24: A crocodile seen at the Leningrad Zoo. Leningrad Zoo, now known as Saint Petersburg Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in Russia, founded in 1865. Located in Alexander Park, it houses over 600 species of animals, including rare and exotic species. Despite facing hardships, such as the Siege of Leningrad during World War II, the zoo remained open, symbolizing resilience. Today, it serves as both a tourist attraction and a center for wildlife conservation and education. (Photo by Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Would you believe I went to sleep in Spain thinking the Knicks had landed the last piece of the puzzle as they submitted an offer sheet for Mavericks big man Moussa Cisse…
…and I woke up to P&T’s Michael Zeno informing me the Mavs had matched the Knicks’ two-year, $4.7 million offer, updating his story on it, and killing my hopes of New York’s putting an end to this third-string-center saga? Cold world, links and notes.
In all honesty, and while Cisse isn’t a world beater, the move was shrewd and one for a kid coming on the cheap and with huge upside — definitely something better (given the role he’d have taken on) than signing Jonas Valanciunas or any other dodderer. Nick Richards remains out there, but the Knicks’ front office keeps showing us they can come up with out-of-left-field moves at any moment.
SNY’s Ian Begley noted that if the Knicks sign a third center, as it looks to be the intention following Saturday’s developments, they simply will not have enough space to give rookies Tyler Nickel or Jack Kayil a standard contract for next season. A third center would fill the 14th roster spot, and there would only be one left for one of Nickel or Kayil, who would need to sign a two-way deal. That inevitably points to Nickel staying and Kayil going back to Germany, as explained here.
“If the Knicks sign a third center, they wouldn’t have enough financial wiggle room to offer Nickel or Kayil a standard NBA contract. With Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet all on the roster next year, having Kayil stay overseas would make the most sense. Nickel could be in line for a two-way contract.”
SNY’s Rafael Canton dropped a piece sharing the four main takeaways from the SummerKnicks run in Sin City. Mohamed Diawara’s Summer League was described as a “failure to launch.”
Fellow SNY scribe David Vertsberger put together an “offseason development wish list” in which he discussed what all players under contract should improve at heading into the 2027 season. Here’s an example:
“Mikal Bridges – Pick-and-roll and isolation playmaking
“Bridges was invaluable and hilariously efficient in New York’s playoff run, but at times it felt he had a little more to give when Brunson was being pressured, and the Knicks needed an extra dose of ball-handling.
“He stepped up with his shooting as others like Jose Alvarado took over more ball-handling duties, but this could be an area for Bridges to tap into more.
“ His mid-range game is so effective; being comfortable using a screen or developing some kind of go-to dribble move that creates some space when he’s out on the perimeter could take his game to another level — it would also make defenses second-guess giving him a favorable matchup.”
Jalen Brunson was asked at the Fanatics Fest whether he had recruited LeBron James to New York, and described his job nicely.
Jose Alvarado spoke at the ESPY Awards ceremony about being the only native New Yorker on the championship roster. “It’s cool,” Jose said, among a few other things, including his foodie preferences.
Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, this time as part of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. You can check out JB’s cameo and KAT’s table-breaking performance in full, if you’re into it.
Tyler Kolek, at the ESPYs, said he would approve of Timothee Chalamet playing him in a movie about the Knicks’ championship season, while Kolek himself could probably play Chalamet’s role in the joint.
Kolek, for one, is already getting his acting reps.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts at the end of the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the first time since the “hurriquake” of August 2023, the Dodgers will play a doubleheader on Sunday after their game against the Yankees on Saturday was postponed due to heavy rain.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the first game of the doubleheader, while the Dodgers have yet to announce their starter for the latter game. The Dodgers have made it clear that Shohei Ohtani will not be pitching in the Bronx, as his next scheduled start lines up on Wednesday when the team is in Philadelphia, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. Whether he will resume his two-way duties on Wednesday is still up in the air.
Ohtani was expected to be in the lineup for all three games against the Yankees. He planned to play catch and throw off the mound in the coming days, and the team would monitor his response before finalizing pitching plans.
Taking the mound Wednesday would give Ohtani more recovery time heading into the team’s day off. When asked if Ohtani would shoulder two-way duties Wednesday, Roberts said, “We’ll see when we get there.”
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 against the San Diego Padres, and he enters the second half of the season with a record of 8-2 and a 1.79 ERA across 14 starts.
Kiké Hernández has appeared in just two games this season and has been out since May 27 after suffering an oblique strain. Hernández is currently undergoing a rehab assignment and could rejoin the team during their next homestand, reports Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
The fan-favorite utility player began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday night, beginning with a weekend series in Tacoma, Wash. Hernández is unlikely to return during the Dodgers’ three-city road trip visiting the Yankees, Phillies and Mets, but he could be activated from the 10-day injured list during L.A.’s next homestand beginning on July 28.
The Yankees aren’t a ballclub that has expectations of losing in the World Series. It’s apparent with their 27 championships.
“The disappointment of getting to the end and playing for it all and coming up short, that’s one of those things that leaves a scar,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ game against the Dodgers on Saturday was rained out and will be made up on Sunday as a split doubleheader. “You want to be in a position to be in a World Series and play for it all. We had that opportunity and came up short. So there’s pain and disappointment that comes with that, and it’s part of our baseball journey.”
FREDERICK, MARYLAND - APRIL19, 2026: Ike Irish #11 of the Frederick Keys bats during a South Atlantic League game against the Hudson Valley Renegades at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Frederick, Maryland. The Renegades beat the Keys, 7-6. (Photo by Rodger Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Nestor German started for the Tides and pitched six strong innings. His only run allowed came on a solo home run in the second inning, and he in fact allowed just two hits and one walk. He struck out four. German is on a nice stretch and has now allowed just one run in July. That’s three starts and 18 innings.
The Tides hitters had two four-run innings. Enrique Bradfield, Jr., who has been pretty cold of late, contributed two singles from the top of the lineup. Heston Kjerstad had an RBI single in five ABs. It was a big night for outfielder Michael Siani, who singled and doubled. He picked up three RBI. And Jud Fabian had a nice night as well. He knocked in two with a single and a sac fly, and also took a walk.
Down 3-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Baysox stormed back with three runs to take the lead and get the win.
Joseph Dzierwa started for the Baysox and allowed just one baserunner through the first three innings on a walk. In the fourth, he gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning but worked out of the jam. The last out of that inning came when the Yard Goats runner attempted to steal home and was thrown out by Dzierwa. In the fifth inning, he issued a walk and then allowed a home run to put the Yard Goats up 2-0. That was his last batter. Final line: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K.
Sebastian Gongora pitched the final four innings and allowed just one run on two hits. He struck out six and was awarded the win.
On offense, the Baysox were hitless until the sixth inning. Through five, they had just two baserunners. One reached via HBP, the other by walk. Brandon Butterworth, who took the walk, was picked off. With runners on first and third and no outs in the seventh, Aron Estrada hit into a double play. The run came in, but the rally was squashed. Estrada and Butterworth both did better in the eighth inning, with RBI singles. Anderson De Los Santos knocked in the third run with a bases-loaded walk.
High-A: Frederick Keys 12, Greenville Drive (BOS) 2
The Keys’ offense was pumping last night as they scored 12 runs on 20 hits on the road in Greenville. They were leading 4-2 after six when they put up back-to-back four-run innings up in the seventh and eighth. Number nine hitter Edwin Amparo and leadoff hitter Ike Irish each had three-hit games, with Amparo on base ahead of Irish twice to get knocked in.
Wehiwa Aloy, batting after Irish, reached base four times with two singles and two walks. He scored a run on an error after a walk, and knocked in another un on a sac fly. Braylin Tavera capped off the scoring with a three-run home run in the eighth inning. It was a four RBI night for Tavera. Leandro Arias and Yasmil Bucce also had three hits. Every player in the Keys lineup had at least one.
Patrick Reilly continued his rehab with two runs in four innings. He allowed four hits, struck out four, and walked one. In his fifth game back, four innings is his longest stint so far.
Low-A: Salem RidgeYaks (BOS) 10, Delmarva Shorebirds 5
Starting pitcher Christian Rodriguez allowed one run in two innings pitched. He worked around a single in the first but wasn’t as lucky in the second, when a double and single resulted in a run. No word I could find on why Rodriguez exited after two innings. He had thrown just 34 pitches. Hopefully it’s not due to injury.
The pitchers who followed let the game get out of hand immediately. Jason Shockley, Teddy Sharkey, and Andrew Herbert allowed three runs apiece out of the bullpen.
The Shorebirds got off to an early lead with a three-run second inning. Two runs scored on a single by Jose Perez and a third scored on a throwing error by Salem’s shortstop. They added two more in the eighth. Stiven Martinez walked and scored on a Miguel Rodríguez double. Rodríguez then scored on a single from Adriander Mejía.
It was a three-hit day for Perez and a two-hit day for Mejía. Jaiden Lo Re was 1-for-5 as the leadoff batter.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 13: Jose Quintana #62 of the Colorado Rockies gets a new ball after giving up a walk in the second inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Friday, the Colorado Rockies updated their injury report.
RHP McCade Brown — Continuing in his throwing progression in Arizona. (60-day IL; right shoulder inflammation)
RHP Blas Castaño — Continuing in his throwing program; scheduled to throw off a mound later in the week. (15-day IL; right pectoral strain)
OF Brenton Doyle — Continuing strengthening program with his left adductor, which was injured while on rehab for his left oblique injury; will progress to running and baseball activities during the week. (15-day IL; left oblique contusion)
RHP Seth Halvorsen — Threw live bullpen yesterday; next step is a scheduled rehab assignment. (15-day IL; right shoulder inflammation)
RHP Jaden Hill — Playing light catch. (15-day IL; right shoulder tendinitis)
LHP José Quintana — Continuing to progress through his throwing program. (60-day IL; left elbow strain)
Beyond that, here’s what our writers were up to during the All-Star break!
With the first half of the season complete and the second half underway, what are your conclusions so far? What are your expectations for the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments!
For Colin Rea, Friday evening was a rough one — but he had it better than most. Rea’s quality start over six innings saw him scatter five hits and a walk and strike out six. His one mistake was a three-run home run to Ryan Jeffers.
After Drew Pomeranz had a poor outing, the three following relievers punched through 2.2 innings of scoreless ball. But the game was over after that home run as the Cubs managed only six hits, two by Nico Hoerner, and included a double by Seiya Suzuki. Michael Busch’s first-inning RBI single was the only non-wild pitch aided run the Cubs could muster.
The reunion of the 2016 Cubs made for a wonderful Saturday and the Champions Gate is another fine addition to Gallagher Way.
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Hubert Charles Sumlin (November 16, 1931 – December 4, 2011) was a Chicago blues guitarist and singer, best known for his “wrenched, shattering bursts of notes, sudden cliff-hanger silences and daring rhythmic suspensions” as a member of Howlin’ Wolf’s band. Sumlin was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, and raised in Hughes, Arkansas. He got his first guitar when he was eight years old. As a boy, he met Howlin’ Wolf by sneaking into a performance.
In Chicago, Wolf hired the guitarist Jody Williams, but in 1954 he invited Sumlin to move to Chicago to play second guitar in his band. Williams left the band in 1955, leaving Sumlin as the primary guitarist, a position he held almost continuously for the remainder of Wolf’s career. Upon Wolf’s death in 1976, Sumlin continued playing with several other members of Wolf’s band, as the Wolf Gang, until about 1980. He also recorded under his own name, beginning with a session from a tour of Europe with Wolf in 1964. His last solo album was About Them Shoes, released in 2004 by Tone-Cool Records.
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The Colorado Avalanche weren’t going to replace Valeri Nichushkin with one draft pick.
Players like Nichushkin don’t come around often. When he was healthy, he was one of the most complete forwards in the NHL — a player who could impact the game at both ends of the ice with his size, speed, physicality, defensive awareness, and ability to finish.
So when Colorado moved him to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the conversation naturally focused on what the Avalanche were losing.
What they gained, however, was another opportunity to find talent.
As part of the return, Colorado acquired three future draft picks, including a second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. That pick became Egor Shilov, a talented winger who was still available when the Avalanche selected him 43rd overall.
Without the Nichushkin trade, Shilov probably never becomes part of Colorado’s organization.
Now, the Avalanche are hoping they found a player who slipped through the cracks because teams focused on what he needed to improve rather than what he already did well.
And there is plenty to like.
Shilov entered the draft as one of the most gifted offensive players in the class. In his first season with the Victoriaville Tigres, the Russian winger took the QMJHL by storm, producing 82 points with 32 goals and 50 assists in 63 games.
The numbers are impressive, but they don’t fully explain what makes him such an intriguing prospect.
Watching Shilov play, one thing immediately stands out: he has a unique ability to control the pace of the game.
He can attack defenders with his speed, but he isn’t a player who simply relies on moving faster than everyone else. He has the patience to slow things down, hold onto the puck, and force defenders into uncomfortable situations.
That’s where he creates openings.
A defender might expect Shilov to make the obvious play, but he has the confidence to wait an extra second, draw that defender toward him, and then use the space created to make something happen. He can beat players one-on-one, but he’s just as dangerous when he’s creating opportunities for teammates.
That combination of patience, creativity, and deception is what made him one of the more exciting offensive players in the draft.
It’s also the type of skill set that fits what Colorado has historically valued. The Avalanche have always looked for players who can think the game quickly, create offense, and make plays at a high pace.
Shilov checks those boxes.
The reason he was still available in the second round wasn’t because scouts questioned his offensive ability.
It was everything that came with it.
The biggest concern surrounding Shilov has been consistency. There are stretches where he looks like one of the most dangerous players on the ice, but there are also moments where he appears to wait for the game to come to him instead of forcing himself into the action.
That can be a difficult habit to overcome at the NHL level.
The best players aren’t only impactful when the puck is on their stick. They find ways to influence the game through positioning, defensive effort, and creating opportunities even when they aren’t the ones finishing the play.
That’s the next challenge for Shilov.
He’ll need to become more reliable away from the puck, improve defensively, and limit some of the turnovers that come with trying to make difficult offensive plays.
Those concerns are exactly why Colorado was able to get him at No. 43.
But they’re also why the Avalanche believe there is a chance for something special.
Colorado isn’t selecting Shilov because of where his game is today. They’re selecting him because of where it could eventually go.
There’s no expectation that he’ll immediately step into the NHL. Shilov is expected to return to Victoriaville for another season before continuing his development at Penn State, giving him additional time to become a more complete player before making the jump to professional hockey.
That development path could be important.
Shilov doesn’t need to rebuild his game from the ground up. The offensive instincts, puck skills, and creativity that made him a second-round pick are already there.
The focus now is on adding the consistency and responsibility needed to make those tools translate against better competition.
That’s where the Avalanche will be tested.
Colorado has had mixed results developing young players into NHL contributors, and Shilov represents exactly the type of prospect that challenges an organization’s ability to maximize talent. He has high-end offensive ability, but he also has areas of his game that will require patience and coaching.
If the Avalanche can help him become a more complete player, the 43rd overall selection could eventually look like one of the biggest steals of the draft.
Because sometimes the players who fall aren’t the ones without talent.
They’re the ones who need the right environment to unlock it.
Jun 12, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets mascots Mrs. and Mr. Met ride around the stadium after the New York Mets defeat the Atlanta Braves 7-5 at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The Mets, through Chelsea Janes, have started letting teams know that they will begin selling off the team with the exception of a few players. All of the approximately 20 or so teams that are still in a stone’s throw of a wild card spot have begun salivating. Woo for expanded playoff, I guess. It’s almost certain that the mutual NL East resident Mets will send any of their players in order to help the Braves to the postseason. But since this is a Braves blog, how does the Mets fire sale affect the Braves? Or does it at all?
"As the second half begins Thursday night, it seems the time has come: A rival executive said the Mets informed their team that the sale is on, and that everyone but young stars Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, Christian Scott, Nolan… pic.twitter.com/H9N4QmdOB9
For one, it looks like some team that will be fighting the Braves for a playoff spot is probably going to get pitching help. AJ Minter and Brooks Raley would be a great add for someone. Freddy Peralta is all but gone. Bo Bichette will be a prize for someone. But I don’t know if the Mets’ supply of expiring or bloated contracts adds much to the supply that might make some teams not interested in players that the Braves could grab. More supply is good, but there’s a ton of demand.
Still fun to watch it, though. I’m not grinning. You’re grinning.
Walk-up music is a phenomenon that has become more and more prevalent in recent years for baseball and softball players at all levels. It’s a trend that started at the major league level and has worked its way down to the kids. For some, it’s probably the highlight of their baseball experience, so why not let them have some fun? Plus, who hasn’t walked into a house at some point in their life and wished that they had their own entrance music to let everybody know that they’ve arrived?
I made this argument back in 2022 when a Koji Uehara entrance video from the 2013 playoffs resurfaced, running to the mound to Darude’s “Sandstorm” to uproarious, concert-level applause. The link is gone now, so let’s try again.
Remember, there was a time not too long ago that the only music that we had at Fenway was from the organist. Granted, it was a funeral in there most of the time up until 2004, but this was certainly a park that lagged behind most of the modern parks in terms of atmosphere.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about walk-up music at the high school level, mainly because of the people in charge of starting and stopping the music on time. When disco music is still playing in the pitcher’s wind-up, that’s a problem. However, after seeing a kid get into the box with Maxine Nightingale’s “Right Back Where We Started From” on the speakers, I decided I just couldn’t fight it anymore. When family members texted me from the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico that Abraham Toro had chosen French Montana’s “Pop That” as his walk-up song, complete with video footage of the historic event, I knew I need to write this article at some point.
A good walk-up song needs to be upbeat. It needs to be a groove. For a batter, it needs to work as a short snippet, maybe ten seconds long. You need fans to hear it in the stadium, stop in the middle of a sentence, and say “Oh!!” And, of course, it should never be country music. (I’m fully aware that I’ll lose at least a third of the readers with that last sentence. I’m not sorry that my selections below are devoid of country songs.)
Every Major League Baseball team has a page within their website that compiles the walk-up songs of most of the players. Inexplicably, there isn’t a landing page within mlb.com where you can toggle across the 30 teams. Lucky for you, I’ve put a link to every one of those teams’ pages below, so that you can bookmark this article for eternity for future updates. And all Spotify song links are “clean” versions, so that you won’t get fired if you read this at work.
Music is very subjective, so if you disagree with anything below, I encourage you to write your own piece on the matter. Here is my list of the best walk-up song choices across each of the 30 MLB teams, mostly in alphabetical order by team, with the exception of the Top-5 that are ranked at the end.
An oldie that aligns with a pitcher’s entrance. Tremendous guitar in the song opening, which works better for a long jog to the bump, rather than a short ten-second walk.
Few albums in this century are more of a joy than Kid Cudi’s “Man On The Moon” (2009). Rutschman’s choice of “Alive” is a strong one from that album (also the walk-up of the Red Sox’ Caleb Durbin), although personally I would have gone with “Cudi Zone.” Either way, the Cudi vibes are high in the Orioles clubhouse, and I appreciate that.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself: my name is HOV.” Dave Chappelle yelling that phrase at work executives during the “When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong” sketch was a personal favorite.
As I mentioned in the Uehara piece, entrance music means the most to WWE fans, specifically during the Attitude Era of the 90s. Jim Johnston was a damn legend, writing and recording all of the WWE theme songs. Kurt Angle gets the easy nod from the Rockies, but I certainly would’ve gone with The Great Chris Jericho’s “Break The Walls Down” if it was me.
Tremendous choice. For my money, the single best song of the 80s. A hat tip to Gru as well, who flawlessly covered this song at a prison in Despicable Me 4.
WEEI has a shocking number of bangers that they use coming out of commercials on the Sox radio broadcast. Wu Tang Clan’s “Gravel Pit” … Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” … A Flock of Seagulls’ “I Ran (So Far Away).” Whoever is tasked with the commercial outro music deserves a significant raise. I didn’t know I liked Levitating until I heard the version that features Joe Castiglione.
(See Colorado Rockies write-up). If this week’s #1 overall pick, Roch Cholowsky, does not come out to one of the numerous versions of The Rock’s entrance song, alongside a People’s Eyebrow, it will be a major whiff.
The Phillies don’t post their walk-up songs, so I’m taking it upon myself to post this clip from 2022. Bryce Harper’s first at bat at home in the World Series, after hitting the game-winning home run in the NLCS. Incredible job from Fox letting the walk-up and crowd noise tell the story, followed by a first-pitch home run, which John Smoltz basically predicts will happen. Imagine not liking baseball? (Also, a reminder of how great the pitch clock is as we go more than a minute waiting for the first pitch of the at-bat).
Empire of the Sun’s “Walking On A Dream” is an all-time favorite and was under consideration for the Top Five. This strong alternate version will have to do.
“It sounds like the music they play at The Olive Garden. The Olive Garden kicks ass.” The immortal Beavis and Butthead broke this song down back in 2011.
Butthead: “Remember when you asked that waitress at The Olive Garden to dance, and then she slapped you, and the manager threw you out?”
Beavis: “Oh yeah. That was cool.”
San Francisco Giants Adrian Houser: Creedance Clearwater Revival – Run Through The Jungle
A 12-second perfect instrumental to start the song, and then not a single lyric that could be played at a family-friendly event. Arguably the ideal choice!
As if we shouldn’t be concerned enough about Naylor, after learning that he stabbed a teammate in the minor leagues, he walks up to “Stan”?? A “prank that went a little too far.” I’ll say!
Speaking of Eminem, 2002’s “The Eminem Show” album was his peak, in my opinion. The only thing that I ever “re2pected” about Derek Jeter was that “Square Dance” was his walk-up song for one season.
As mentioned earlier, the epic guitar solo in “Money For Nothing” could only work for a pitcher’s entrance to play throughout the lengthier first-inning warm-up pitches.
Two-for-two from PCA. He nails the local theme featuring the lyric, “When I’m back in Chicago,” from End Of Beginning. And then the iconic groove of Time To Pretend … more on that album later.
We’ve all heard this one a thousand times. Perhaps on a dance floor, or perhaps to get through the final few minutes of your workout. It never gets old. I’ll run through a wall to this song, or just to the pitcher’s mound, either/or.
Honorable Mention: Taylor Walls: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz “Get Low”
Yup. Taylor “to the window, to the” Walls. I see what you’re doing here, and I approve.
3b. Toronto Blue Jays Adam Macko: Mark Morrison – Return of the Mack
If you have a name that includes “mack” or rhymes with “mack”, you don’t have much of a choice but to walk out to this song.
I don’t have such a name, but I’d still walk up to it since it just might be the greatest song of my lifetime.
Leaving Edwin Diaz’s “Narco” intro out of this list feels reckless. But Timmy Trumpets felt like more of a Mets connection than Dodgers. And for all we know, Diaz is probably only using Narco as his cockfighting intro music these days.
Cheating a little, as this was Anthony’s walk-up song last year, and he’s currently taking a tour of lovely Fort Myers in July, but maybe getting back to his rookie-season roots will turn his luck around in 2026. The “Oracular Spectacular” (2007) album is an absolute masterpiece, especially when you consider that many of the songs were meant to be ironic, making fun of modern pop music. In the behind-the-scenes making of “Electric Feel”, you hear the band asking if, by attempting to make the song better, “do you mean worse?” It was the soundtrack to his first career at-bat, and if the Sox are going to make any kind of postseason run, we need Roman and these vibes back in the lineup asap.
Loperfido is curiously missing from the Astros website at the moment, but I heard it earlier this season, and immediately made sure I had a screenshot of the heroic player in question.
Paper Planes was played on alternative rock stations, it was played on hip-hop stations, and eventually pop stations. Hell, Jay-Z and T.I. made “Swagga Like Us”, which had an entire chorus out of one single lyric from the song. The intro is incredible, the chorus is unmatched, and if you don’t react with an “Oh!” when Joey Loperfido walks to the plate, then I’m not sure we can be friends.
Paper Planes would be my 2026 walk-up song (to the buffet).
COVERS INTEL: Matthews' 32nd percentile GB% could get him into trouble against the Cubs, 
